Visa requirements

Foreigners
wanting to visit India can do so after obtaining visa from the Indian
Mission in their country of residence. They should possess a valid
National Passport - except in the case of nationals of Bhutan &
Nepal, who may carry only suitable means of identification.

Tourist Visas
Usually, a multi-entry visa, valid for a period of 180 days, is
granted for the purpose of tourism. The visa is valid from the date
of issue.

Collective Visas
The facility also exists for the issue of collective visas to group
tours consisting of not less than four members and sponsored by
a travel agency recognised by the Government of India. Such groups
may split into smaller groups for visiting different places in India
after obtaining a collective "licence to travel" from
the immigration authorities in India. However, they must reassemble
and depart as the original group.

Transit Visas
Transit visas are granted by Indian Missions abroad for a maximum
period of 15 days.

Exemption from Registration
Foreigners coming to India on tourist visas for 180 days or shorter
period are not required to register themselves with any authority
in India. They can move about freely in the counrty,except to restricted/protected
areas and prohibited places.Nationals of Bnagladesh are exempted
from registration upto six months. If their stay exceeds six months,
they have to register themselves. Individuals without nationality
(stateless persons; IRO refugees, persons receiving legal or political
protection, holders of Nansen passport etc.) should have valid passports,
identity documents or sworn affidavits along with the visa for which
they should apply two months in advance. Family passports issued
by other governments are recognised without discrimination.

Landing Permit Facility
Tourists may note the no Landing Permit Facility is available to
any foreign tourist landing without a visa. A limited facility exists
only for group tours consisting of four or more members and sponsored
by a travel agency recognised by the Government of India. Children
of foreigners of Indian origin below the age of 12 may be granetd
a landing permit by the immigration authorities upto a period of
90 days to see their relatives, in case they happen to come without
a visa.

Tourist Groups
A tourist group arriving by air, ship or by a chartered or scheduled
flight may be granetd a collective landing permit for a period of
upto 30 days by the immigration authorities on landing, provided
the group is sponsored by a recognised travel agency and a predrawn
itinerary is presented along with details of passport etc. of the
members, and the travel agency gives an undertaking to conduct the
group together.
If a foreigner wishes to come to India for a purpose other than
tourism, he should come after obtaining one of the following visas

Business Visa
A foreigner can obtain one from an Indian Embassy abroad. A multiple
entry visa is valid for 5 years, provided he wishes to come for
some business. Foreigners of Indian origin can obtain a 5 year multiple
entry visa for business, to meet their relatives etc.

Student Visa
A student visa can be obtained from the Indian Embassy on the production
of proof of admission and means of sustenance while in India, etc.
The visa is valid for one year but can be extended in India for
the duration of the course.

Conference Visa
Delegates coming to attend international conferences in India can
be granted Conference Visa to cover the conference as well as for
tourism in India. Delegates are advised to apply to Indian Embassies
well in advance. ** Employment Visa : Foreigners desirous of coming
to India for taking up employment should apply for an Employment
Visa, which are issued by Indian Missions abroad. Initially granted
for a period of one year, it can be extended in India upto the period
of contract. ** Recreation : Foreigners wishing to undertake any
international sporting event, trekking, botanical expeditions, yoga,
journalists, media men, documentary and feature film makers may
obtain visas after due formalities from the Indian Embassy.

Visa & Customs
Tourists visas are available for a maximum period of 180 days. No
charge are levied for visa extension within the maximum period of
180 days.
Identical passport photographs are required. However, in case of
an extension beyond 180 days, which is allowed only in exceptional
cases, an extension fee is charged.
Tourists from other countries are advised to check current applicable
visa fee/visa extension fees with government of India Tourist Offices
or Indian Consular Offices located in their respective countries.

Visa Extensions
Tourists visas are available for a maximum period of 180 days. No
charge are levied for visa extension within the maximum period of
180 days.
Identical passport photographs are required. However, in case of
an extension beyond 180 days, which is allowed only in exceptional
cases, an extension fee is charged.
Tourists from other countries are advised to check current applicable
visa fee/visa extension fees with government of India Tourist Offices
or Indian Consular Offices located in their respective countries.

Customs Formalities And Regulations
The usual duty free regulations of one bottle of whisky, i.e. 950
ml or less and 200 cigarettes apply for India. If the tourist brings
in more than $ 1000 in cash or in traveller's cheques, it must be
declared by completion of currency declaration form.
While small items like perfumes, cosmetics etc., are allowed into
the country, larger items like video cameras are likely to be entered
on a "Tourist Baggage Re-export' form to ensure that the article
is taken away on departure. The TBRE form should be re-submitted
on departure.
Goods brought in excess of this are chargeable to duty as per prevailing
law.

Foreign Travel Tax
For international travel from Indian airports Airport Travel Tax
must be paid for travel to all other countries. This tax is also
applicable to infants who may not be occupying seats.

Special permits

Special permits can be obtained if specifically
asked for while applying for a visa or they may be obtained after
arrival in India.

The FRROs (Foreigners' Regional Registration Offices) in Delhi,
Bombay, Calcutta and the Chief Immigration Officer in Madras can
issue the same as well as group permits. This permit is valid for
a maximum period of 15 days only. Permits must be applied for at
least two weeks in advance for gourp tourists.

Permits are requiered for the following places

North Eastern Frontiers: Permits
are available at the FRRos in Delhi, Calcutta, Bombay and with the
Chief Immigration Officer in Madras.

Andaman Islands: Permits are
obtainable from an Indian Embassy or Consular Offices abroad or
from the FRROs in Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta and the Chief Immigration
Officer in Madras.